A Methodology for Emulsion Design Based on Emulsion Science and Expert Knowledge. Part 1: Conceptual Approach

Abstract

Formulated emulsions have a high commercial value due to their multiple applications in several product sectors such as cosmetics, nutrition, medicine, and household products, among others. Their design is not a simple task because emulsions are complex systems in which components, structures, phenomena, and processes are highly interrelated. Thus, any decision must be made with its multiple effects on the final product’s properties in mind. Emulsion design is even more challenging at early design stages when information is scarce and critical design decisions are made. In view of the above, this study proposes a decision-making methodology for emulsion formulation applicable to early product design/screening/exploratory stages. It enables product designers to understand the product as a whole system and select a set of complementary solution strategies applicable to their specific emulsion formulation problem. The methodology presented in detail in this article comprises three steps and uses two databases, which were proposed based on emulsion science principles and connected thanks to a database of expert knowledge. In the first step, product specifications are classified according to a list of 21 general subproblems in emulsion formulation, which are related to physicochemical phenomena or properties that are to be promoted or limited in the product. In the second step, subproblems are connected to a list of 30 general solution strategies, which are solution paths related to the emulsion’s nature or structure but not initially directly related to a specific compound or process technology. In the third step, solution strategies are connected to compound types and processing conditions using a second database with the aim of creating potential design concepts.